Software Provider

Big Time Gaming

The Australian company that invented the Megaways™ mechanic, a variable-reel-size system now licensed to and used by over 100 studios worldwide.

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Overview

About Big Time Gaming

Big Time Gaming is an Australian software provider that fundamentally changed the online slots industry through the invention of the Megaways™ mechanic. First featured in Dragon Born in 2016, Megaways uses a random reel-modifier system that generates up to 117,649 ways to win per spin.

Company History

Big Time Gaming was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2011 by Nik Robinson and a small team of experienced game developers. The studio spent its first few years building a slot catalogue before releasing Dragon Born in 2016 — the first game to use the Megaways mechanic. Bonanza, released the same year, became the title that demonstrated the full commercial potential of Megaways and triggered widespread licensing interest. BTG then began licensing Megaways to other studios, transforming the mechanic into one of the most widely adopted innovations in slot history.

Technology & Platform

Big Time Gaming's Megaways engine is a patented mechanic built around a random reel modifier that independently varies the number of symbols shown on each reel per spin. All BTG games are built in HTML5 and include the Reactions (cascading reels) feature by default in Megaways titles. The company licences the Megaways patent to approved third-party studios through a formal licensing programme.

Markets & Licensing

Big Time Gaming holds licences from the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, and Gibraltar Regulatory Authority. The company distributes games across regulated European markets including the UK, Sweden, Malta, and Gibraltar, with ongoing expansion in other jurisdictions. Its Megaways licensing revenue has a far broader reach, as licensed studios distribute Megaways titles across their own market footprints.

Signature Games

✓ Review available

Bonanza →

Review coming

Extra Chilli

Review coming

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways

Review coming

Monopoly Megaways

Review coming

Danger High Voltage

Specialties

♦ Megaways™ mechanic inventor and licensor
♦ Branded slot content
♦ Reactions (cascading wins)

Provider Details

Founded

2011

Headquarters

Sydney, Australia

Game Count

50+ original titles

Product Types

Megaways™ SlotsSlots

Key Licences

• Malta Gaming Authority

• UK Gambling Commission

• Gibraltar

Reviewed

2026-05-28

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Megaways mechanic?

Megaways is a patented slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming in which the number of symbols displayed on each reel changes randomly on every spin. With six reels each showing between two and seven symbols, a Megaways game can generate up to 117,649 active ways to win per spin.

How many studios use Megaways?

BTG licences the Megaways mechanic to other studios. Over 100 licensed Megaways titles have been produced by studios including Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play, iSoftBet, and many others. This licensing model has generated significant royalty revenue for BTG.

What was the first Megaways slot?

Dragon Born, released in 2016, was the first slot to use the Megaways mechanic. However, Bonanza — also released in 2016 — became the title that truly popularised the format and drove widespread operator and player interest in the mechanic.

Does Big Time Gaming still make its own games?

Yes. Alongside licensing the Megaways mechanic to third parties, BTG continues to develop and release its own original slot titles. These include branded games such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways and Monopoly Megaways, as well as original IP titles like Extra Chilli and Danger High Voltage.

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